 Michael LaForgia
Right Below the Knee Amputee, Left Trans-Metatarsal Amputee Stats: Current Home: Smithtown, New York
Occupation: Vice President,
JP Morgan Chase
Sports: Running, Cycling,
Swimming, Triathlon
Mike lives in Smithtown, New York with his wife Donna. He has 3 children, Kaelyn (14), Michael Jr. (12) and Jenna (9). Mike is a bilateral amputee, having lost his right leg below the knee and the toes on his left foot. His injuries were a result of a life threatening battle with bacterial meningitis (meningococcal). Mike acquired meningococcal on 1/1/05. Not expected to make it through the night, he remained in a coma for 7 days. Once stable, doctors removed the toes on his left foot and most of his right foot. His right foot was originally "rebuilt" using his back muscle. He spent the next 5 months in the hospital doing intensive physical therapy. He had to re-learn how to walk, progressing from wheel chair to walker to crutches to cane to walking. Unhappy with the mobility of his new right foot, Mike made the difficult decision to electively amputate his right leg below the knee. He received his new leg from A Step Ahead on 6/29/06. Prior to becoming ill, Mike was a runner and triathelte. He completed 2 NYC Marathons and the Florida 1/2 Ironman. Mike has just recently been outfitted with a running leg for his right leg and a brand new partial foot prosthetic with a running foot. Mike's goals for '07 include the Aspire 10K run and the bike leg of the Challenged Athletes Foundation San Diego 1/2 Ironman. He hopes to complete another NYC Marathon and 1/2 Ironman to complete his incredible journey! As a member of the National Meningitis Association, Mike hopes that he can use these activities as a way to increase meningococcal awareness. Highlights: 2008 Aspire 10K: 1:02:50 Long Island 10K: 59:06 Gold Coast Sprint Triathlon: 1:40:05 Hope & Possibility 5 mile Race: 51:50 2nd place double amputee NYC Olympic Distance Triathlon: 3:34:48 3rd place 2007 Flat as a Pancake Sprint Triathlon: 2:02:00 Aspire 5K: 00:40:24 Goals: Westchester Triathlon - 25 mile - September 2007 CAF 1/2 Ironman 56 mile - October, 2007 NYC Triathlon - July, 2008 Live Life without Limitations! | 
